Strobe notification appliance

ABSTRACT

A notification appliance is disclosed. The notification appliance may be a strobe notification appliance, such as an LED strobe notification appliance. The notification appliance may be wall-mounted or ceiling-mounted. Further, the notification appliance may include an optic that is configured to shape the light output from the notification appliance. For example, in a wall-mount, the optic may be mounted off-axis of a plane defined by a back plate of the notification appliance. Further, the notification appliance may be composed of a back plate, a driver board, and a front housing, with the front housing being attached to one or both of the back plate and the driver board. Moreover, the notification appliance may be used with an adapter bracket, which may be used to connect the notification appliance with one or more types of junction boxes.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/031,030, filed on Jul. 30, 2014, the entirety of which isincorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application generally relates to notification appliances for a firealarm system, and more specifically to an LED strobe notificationappliance in a fire alarm system.

BACKGROUND

Fire alarm devices such as audible horns (audible/visible or A/V),loudspeakers (speaker/visible or S/V) and visible strobes (visible onlyor V/O), are referred to as “notification appliances.” Typically, a firealarm control panel (FACP) drives these devices over one or more“notification appliance circuits” (NACs). The strobes are used, forexample, as an alert for the hearing-impaired, or for those in a highnoise environment.

One type of strobe uses a flash tube (also called a flash lamp).Typically, the flash tube is an electric glow discharge lamp designed toproduce extremely intense, incoherent, full-spectrum white light forvery short durations. Flash tubes are made of a length of glass tubingwith electrodes at either end and are filled with a gas that, whentriggered, ionizes and conducts a high voltage pulse to produce thelight. Xenon is an example of the gas that can fill the flash tube, witha Xenon flash tube producing a high-intensity light (such as hundreds ofthousands of lumens) for a very short duration pulse (such as hundredsof milliseconds). Xenon flash tubes use a high voltage storage element,such as an electrolytic capacitor, that can be charged several hundredvolts to provide energy for the flash. Xenon flash tubes also use atrigger voltage that is in the several thousand volt range to start thegas discharge.

The lifetime of the flash tube can depend on both the energy level usedfor the lamp in proportion to its discharge energy, and on the pulseduration of the lamp. Failures can be catastrophic or can be gradual,reducing the performance of the lamp below a usable rating.

Another type of strobe is Light Emitting Diode (LED)-based. An LED-basedstrobe includes an LED that is high power, and greater than typicaldisplay LEDs. However, even with a high power LED, the LED-based strobecannot generate light at as high of an intensity as a Xenon-basedstrobe. Instead, LED-based strobes generate a lower intensity light(such as hundreds of lumens) for a longer period of time (such as tensto hundreds of milliseconds). In this way, the LED-based strobes cangenerate a comparable amount of light energy, as measured in candela, asa Xenon-based strobe. In contrast to flash-tube based strobes, LED-basedstrobes typically have a longer usable lifetime.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a notification appliance is disclosed. The notificationappliance includes: a back plate configured to abut a junction box; adriver board connected to the back plate; a front housing connected tothe back plate; one or more LED strobe elements electrically connectedto the driver board; and an optic configured to shape light generated bythe one or more LED strobe elements, the optic in a predeterminedconfiguration with respect to the one or more LED strobe elements,wherein the driver board is configured to drive the one or more LEDstrobe elements, and wherein the driver board is mounted between theback plate and the front housing.

In another aspect, a notification appliance is disclosed. Thenotification appliance includes: a back plate configured to abut ajunction box, the back plate includes a hole, the junction box includinga screw receptacle; a driver board connected to the back plate andincluding a hole; a front housing comprising a screw opening; one ormore LED strobe elements electrically connected to the driver board; andan optic configured to shape light generated by the one or more LEDstrobe elements, the optic abutting the front housing, wherein thedriver board is configured to drive the one or more LED strobe elements,wherein the driver board is mounted between the back plate and the fronthousing, and wherein the screw opening in the front housing, the hole inthe driver board and the hole in the back plate are configured such thatwhen a screw traverses the screw opening in the front housing, the holein the driver board and the hole in the back plate and engages the screwreceptacle in the junction box, the front housing is configured to pressthe driver board against the back plate.

In still another aspect, a method is disclosed. The method is forattaching a notification appliance to a junction box, the junction boxincluding a plurality of screw receptacles configured to receive screws.The method includes: screwing screws only partly into the screwreceptacles of the junction box; attaching wires from the junction boxto a terminal block of the notification appliance; looping the partlyscrewed screws through keyholes of a front housing of the notificationappliance; and fully screwing the screws into the screw receptacles ofthe junction box.

Other systems, methods, features and advantages will be, or will become,apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the followingfigures and detailed description. It is intended that all suchadditional systems, methods, features and advantages be included withinthis description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protectedby the following claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a fire alarm system.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the system of FIG. 1, furtherillustrating details of a system controller and a strobe device.

FIG. 3 illustrates an expanded block diagram of the strobe device(including strobe element and associated circuitry) illustrated in FIG.2.

FIGS. 4A-D illustrate various requirements for wall mounted strobedevices.

FIGS. 5A-B illustrate various requirements for ceiling mounted strobedevices.

FIG. 6A is an exploded view of various parts of the LED notificationdevice.

FIG. 6B is a back view of LED notification device.

FIGS. 6C-E illustrate side views of a wall mounted notification devicein FIG. 6A, with FIG. 6C illustrating the notification device withoutthe optic attached, FIG. 6D illustrating the notification device withthe optic attached, and FIG. 6E illustrating an expanded view of FIG.6D.

FIG. 6F illustrates a cross-section view of the optic as installed inthe LED notification device of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6G illustrates a front view of the optic.

FIG. 6H illustrates a bottom view of the optic.

FIG. 6I illustrates a front perspective view of the optic.

FIG. 6J illustrates the LED printed circuit board (PCB) and parts of theoptic.

FIG. 7A illustrates one example block diagram of an optic and multiplelight generating devices, such as strobe LED and communications LED.

FIG. 7B illustrates another example block diagram of optic, strobe LEDand communications LED, and light pipe.

FIG. 8A illustrates one example block diagram of an optic, strobe LEDand sensor.

FIG. 8B illustrates another example block diagram of optic, strobe LED,sensor, and light pipe.

FIG. 8C is a cross-sectional view illustrating the optic, the lightpipe, the communications LED and sensor.

FIG. 9A illustrates an underside of the front housing of thenotification device, illustrated in FIG. 6A.

FIGS. 9B and 9C illustrate different views of wire connecting mechanismon the back cover of the notification device, illustrated in FIG. 6A.

FIG. 9D illustrates the back cover of the notification device,illustrated in FIG. 6A, with wire connecting mechanism removed.

FIG. 10A illustrates a part of an underside of the front housingillustrated in FIG. 6A.

FIG. 10B illustrates a part of the main PCB illustrated in FIG. 6A.

FIG. 10C illustrates an underside of the escutcheon with a gasket.

FIG. 10D illustrates the sealing of the gasket on the escutcheon withthe flange of the optic.

FIG. 10E illustrates an underside of the escutcheon without a gasket.

FIG. 11A illustrates a perspective view of the light pipe.

FIG. 11B illustrates light pipe seated in hole of front housingillustrated in FIG. 6A.

FIG. 12A is an exploded view of the adapter bracket and electricaljunction box.

FIG. 12B is a view of the adapter bracket and electrical junction boxabutting one another.

FIGS. 13A-E illustrates the notification device without the escutcheon,which may include front housing, optic, LED PCB, input devices, speaker,and keyhole openings, connected to a junction box, with FIG. 13Aillustrating the front view, FIG. 13B illustrating the side view, FIG.13C illustrating the back view, FIG. 13D illustrating the frontperspective view, and FIG. 13E illustrating the back perspective view.

FIG. 13F illustrates the connection of the front housing 610 to the backcover 616.

FIG. 14A illustrates a side view of the LED PCB.

FIG. 14B illustrates the notification device being connected to junctionbox.

FIG. 15A illustrates a front perspective view of optical alignment tool.

FIG. 15B illustrates a bottom perspective view of optical alignmenttool.

FIG. 15C illustrates optical alignment tool as installed in thenotification device illustrated in FIG. 6A.

FIG. 16A illustrates a block diagram configured to dynamically changethe frequency range of the light output by mechanically changing optics.

FIG. 16B illustrates an expanded block diagram of actuator for opticsillustrated in FIG. 16A.

FIG. 16C illustrates using an electrically alterable lens in order toconfigure the strobe to operate at one of the first wavelength band orthe second wavelength band.

FIG. 16D illustrates the notification device using the electricallyalterable optic depicted in FIG. 16C in order to configure thenotification device to operate at one of the first wavelength band orthe second wavelength band.

FIG. 17A illustrates an exploded view of one example of a notificationdevice configured for ceiling mount.

FIG. 17B illustrates a side view of the speaker and the driver boardinstalled in the notification device of FIG. 17A.

FIG. 17C illustrates an exploded view of another example of anotification device configured for ceiling mount.

FIG. 18A illustrates a front view of the notification device with thecover in FIG. 17A removed.

FIG. 18B illustrates a part of the notification device with the frontcover in FIG. 17A.

FIG. 19A illustrates front view of the housing of the notificationdevice in FIG. 17A.

FIG. 19B illustrates an expanded view of a portion of FIG. 19A.

FIG. 20A illustrates a back view of the housing of the notificationdevice in FIG. 17A.

FIG. 20B illustrates an expanded view of a portion of FIG. 20A.

FIG. 21A illustrates a front view of the housing and the speaker of thenotification device in FIG. 17A.

FIG. 21B illustrates a back view of the electrical junction box and thenotification appliance of FIG. 17A, including the housing and thespeaker of the notification device.

FIG. 22 illustrates the notification device of FIG. 17A with the coverattached and installed within the electrical junction box.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A system embodying one example of the present invention is illustratedin FIG. 1. The system includes one or more notification appliancecircuits (NACs), e.g., networks 16, having alarm condition detectors Dand alarm system notification device A. Alternatively, the detectors andnotification devices may be on separate networks. A system controller(such as a fire alarm control panel (FACP)) 14 may monitor the detectorsD.

The system controller 14 may monitor the alarm condition detectors D.When an alarm condition is sensed, the system controller 14 may signalthe alarm to the appropriate notification appliances A through the oneor more appliance circuits. Notification devices may include, forexample, a visual alarm (such as a strobe), an audible alarm (such as ahorn or a speaker), or a combination thereof.

Although not necessary for carrying out the invention, as shown, all ofthe notification devices in a network are coupled across a pair of powerlines 18 and 20 that advantageously also carry communications betweenthe system controller 14 and the detectors D and notification devices A.

The system controller 14 may comprise a fire alarm control panel and mayuse one or more commands to signal the alarm to the appropriatenotification appliances A. Examples of commands issued for a system withaddressable notification appliances are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.6,426,697, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.Alternatively, the communication line to the device may be separate fromthe power line. In still an alternative embodiment, the system mayinclude non-addressable notification appliances. The communicationschannel may comprise, for example, a wireless link, a wired link or afiber optic link.

Further, the system controller 14 may send one or more commands relatingto diagnostics, status, or other non-alarm type events. For example thesystem controller 14 may send a command related to the identification,the configuration, and/or the status of the notification appliances A.Moreover, the notification appliances A may respond in kind.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a part of the system shown in FIG. 1,further illustrating details of the system controller 14 and one of thenotification appliances. The system controller 14 includes a processor36, a memory 38, a user interface 40, and a device interface 42. Theprocessor 36 may comprise a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a digitalsignal processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), afield programmable gate array, a logical digital circuit, or other nowknown or later developed logical processing capability. The processor 36may work in combination with the memory 38 in order to monitor part orall of the fire alarm system, including one or more of the appliancecircuits (such as one or more notification appliance circuits, one ormore detector circuits, and/or one or more notificationappliance/detector circuits). In addition, the memory may include one ormore look-up tables (or other data structures) used for configuration.

User interface 40 may be used by an operator to control configurationand/or operation of the alarm condition detectors D and alarm systemnotification appliances A. And, device interface 42 may be an example ofa communications interface, and may comprise the interface between thesystem controller 14 and the alarm condition detectors D and alarmsystem notification appliances A in the one or more appliance circuits.

FIG. 2 further depicts a strobe device 30 in greater detail. The strobedevice 30 connects to the network 16 via a network interface(communication connection) 24. The strobe device 30 receives one or morecommands from the system controller 14. The controller 26 processes theone or more commands, as discussed in more detail below. Although shownseparately, the memory 32 may be integrated with the controller 26.

The strobe device 30 further includes LED strobe element and associatedcircuitry 44. In some embodiments, in addition to an LED-based strobeelement, another output light source may be present. For example, anindicator 34, such as a flashing LED (separate from the LED strobeelement and associated circuitry 44), may be used as a visual output,for example during diagnostic testing, on the strobe device 30. Theindicator 34 may be activated, for example, upon command from the systemcontroller 14, upon a local manual command such as a pushbutton (notshown). In this regard, the strobe device 30 may include one or morestrobe LEDs (shown in FIG. 2 as LED strobe element and associatecircuitry 44) and one or more communication LEDs (shown as indicator34).

After the controller 26 determines to activate the LED strobe element,the controller 26 sends one or more control signals to LED strobeelement and associated circuitry 44 in order to control the operation ofthe LED strobe element. One example of an LED-based strobe element isdisclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 2008/0272911, hereinincorporated by reference in its entirety.

The strobe device 30 may optionally include candela selector 46 andconfiguration selector 48. Candela selector 46 may be an input device,such as a multi-position switch, on the strobe device 30. An example ofthe multi-position switch is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,456,585,incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Examples of candelasettings include 15, 30, 75, and 110. Configuration selector 48 may alsobe an input device to configure strobe device 30. Configuration selector48 may comprise a multi-position switch and may input the address of thestrobe device, may input the grouping of the strobe device (see forexample, U.S. Published Application No. 2012/0154160, incorporated byreference herein), may configure the horn, etc. As discussed in moredetail below, the configuration selector 48 may be located on a frontside (such as shown in FIG. 13A) or a side of the strobe device 30(sides of the strobe device are shown in FIGS. 6A-C). Optionally, theconfiguration selector may be positioned on a backside of the strobedevice (the side that abuts the wall) or may be positioned on a top sideof the strobe device.

One, some, or all of the notification devices A may comprise a strobedevice, a strobe/horn device, a strobe/speaker device, or the like. Asdiscussed herein, a strobe device may include strobe functionality (suchas LED strobe functionality) or may include strobe functionality andadditional notification functionality (such as horn or speakerfunctionality). The strobe device may be an addressable strobenotification device (e.g., the strobe notification device has a uniquelyassigned address) or a non-addressable strobe notification device.

FIG. 3 illustrates an expanded block diagram of the strobe deviceillustrated in FIG. 2. The network interface 24 includes a strobe powercontrol input 60 that receives the command to activate the strobe device30 and receives power to power the strobe device 30. The strobe powercontrol input 60 sends the received command to the LED flash circuitcontroller 26. The LED flash circuit controller 26 includes LED controldrive 58 and flash timing control 62, which controls the timing of theflashes of the LED strobe element. The flash timing control 62 mayreceive as an input the candela selector 46, which may input the candelasetting. Based on the candela setting, the flash timing control 62 maycontrol the strobe element and associated circuitry 44 to generate anoutput with the desired candela setting. One example of the strobeelement and associated circuitry 44 is illustrated in FIG. 3, whichincludes an LED flash circuit 56, a power conversion circuit 52, andenergy storage circuit 54. The power conversion circuit 52 provides theproper regulated voltage to the energy storage circuit 54. An example ofthe power conversion circuit 52 may be a voltage regulator (such as aDC-DC converter or current regulator), and an example of the energystorage circuit 54 may be a capacitor. The flash timing control circuit62 generates an output to the LED control drive 58. Based on the output,the LED control drive 58 provides the proper current to the LED flashcircuit 56 in order for the LED flash circuit 56 to generate the desiredintensity. Further, the flash timing control 62 generates an output toLED flash circuit 56, which dictates the duration of the output of theLED flash circuit 56. Thus, the flash timing control 62 may control boththe intensity and the duration in order generate an output with therequested candela rating (as dictated by candela selector 50) and at thefixed pulse width. The flash timing control 62 further may communicatewith the power conversion circuit 52 in order for the power conversioncircuit 52 to provide the proper voltage to energy storage circuit 54.

Thus, upon receiving the activation signal (such as in the form of acommand received by network interface 24), the power conversion circuit52 may charge up the storage capacitor in energy storage circuit 54.Alternatively, the power conversion circuit 54 may charge up the storagecapacitor in energy storage circuit 54 prior to receipt of theactivation signal. Regardless, the strobe element may be activated inresponse to receipt of the activation signal. When the strobe element isactivated, the flash timing control 62 may initialize the powerconversion circuit 52 to charge the energy storage circuit 54, as wellas configure the LED control drive 58. This may be applicable to anotification appliance that is addressable. In a non-addressablenotification appliance, the flash timing control may be set directly(such as locally on the non-addressable notification appliance). FIG. 3further includes the configuration selector 48. The LED flash circuitcontroller 26 may poll the configuration selector 48 in order todetermine one or more settings of the configuration selector 48. Asdiscussed above, the configuration selector 48 may be configured toinput a unique address, a grouping, or the like.

Various standards may be promulgated for strobe devices. One suchstandard in Underwriting Laboratories (UL) Specification 1971, whichrelates to requirements that cover emergency-signaling devices for thehearing impaired. FIGS. 4A-D illustrate various requirements for wallmounted strobe devices. For example, FIG. 4A illustrates the requiredminimum percentage in US Specification 1971 for horizontal dispersionfor a wall mounted strobe. As shown, on axis (0°) requires a 100% ratingoutput. As the angle increases off-axis, the percent rating decreases.FIG. 4B illustrates the light output with regard to horizontaldispersion and the various angles depicted in FIG. 4A. FIG. 4Cillustrates the required minimum percentage in US Specification 1971 forvertical dispersion for a wall mounted strobe. FIG. 4D illustrates thevarious angles listed in the chart depicted in FIG. 4C.

FIGS. 5A-B illustrate various requirements for ceiling mounted strobedevices. FIG. 5A illustrates the required minimum percentage in USSpecification 1971 for vertical dispersion in both X and Y planes for aceiling mounted strobe. FIG. 5B illustrates the light output with regardto vertical dispersion and the various angles depicted in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6A is an exploded view of various parts of the LED notificationdevice 600. The LED notification device 600 may be configured formounting to a wall, and may be configured to generate a strobe output.The notification device 600 includes an optic 604 that is attached tofront housing 610 via one or more screws, bolts or fasteners 602. Whenoptic 604 is attached to front housing 610, the LED printed circuitboard (PCB) 608 is sandwiched between the optic 604 and the fronthousing 610. As shown in FIG. 6A, LED PCB 608 includes a notch 606,discussed in detail below with respect to FIG. 6J. Further, LED PCB 608includes 2 LEDs. Different numbers of LEDs, such as 4 LEDs, arecontemplated.

FIG. 6A further illustrates cover 641 that may sit over a movable switch612, which may be moved to one of a plurality of positions to indicatethe candela setting for the strobe device 600. Switch 612 is an exampleof candela selector 46 illustrated in FIG. 2. FIG. 6A also includes mainPCB 614, which is discussed in further detail in FIGS. 14A-B. Connector620 is configured to electrically connect LED PCB 608 with main PCB 614.

Main PCB 614 may comprise the driver board. As discussed in more detailbelow, the driver board may be configured to drive one or moreelectronics on main PCB 614 or on other boards. For example, main PCB614 may include a speaker (such as speaker 1010 illustrated in FIG.10A). Main PCB 614 may include electronics to drive speaker. As anotherexample, main PCB 614 may drive one or more LEDs (such as LED(s)illustrated in LED PCB 608).

As illustrated in the exploded view of FIG. 6A, main PCB 614 may beconnected to back cover 616. For example, main PCB 614 may be connectedto back cover 616 via a snap-fit. More specifically, back cover 616 mayinclude one or more structures used to engage main PCB 614, such as oneor more tabs and/or one or more snaps. In a more specific embodiment,back cover 616 includes tab 639, so that a part of main PCB 614, such asone side of main PCB 614, may slot into tab 639. Further, back cover 616may include snaps 635, 637, which may snap onto the front of main PCB614. As another example, main PCB 614 may be connected to back cover 616via one or more screws. Back cover 616, in turn, is configured toconnect with a junction box, as discussed in more detail below.

In one embodiment, front housing 610 may likewise be connected to backcover 616. Thus, the front cover 610 is connected directly to back cover616 (instead of in a separate embodiment in which the front cover isindirectly connected to main PCB 614, which is in turn connected to backcover 616). Using the direct connection to the back cover 616, the fronthousing 610 may be more securely fastened. Similar to main PCB 614,front housing 610 may be connected to back cover in one of several ways,including via snap-fit or via one or more screws. For example, backcover may include an opening 633, into which a tab on the front housing610 may slot into. As another example, back cover 616 may include holes629, 631, into which tabs on the front housing may fit into, asdiscussed in more detail below. In this regard, in one embodiment, themain PCB 614 and the front housing 610 may both be connected to the backcover 616 in a similar manner (e.g., via a snap fit). Alternatively, themain PCB 614 and the front housing 610 may be connected to the backcover 616 in different manners.

Though not illustrated in FIG. 6A, an escutcheon may be attached tofront housing 610 (such as via a snap fit, discussed in more detailbelow). For example, front housing 610 may include snaps 627, 628, intowhich the escutcheon may attach. In one embodiment, the front housing610 includes four snaps equally spaced, such as spaced at noon, 3o'clock, 6 o'clock, and 9 o'clock (with snap 628 illustrating thepositioning at noon and snap 627 illustrating the positioning at 3o'clock). In an alternate embodiment, the front housing 610 includes twosnaps equally spaced, such as spaced at noon and 6 o'clock.

The front housing 610 and/or main PCB 614 may be connected to back cover616 in one or more additional ways. As discussed in more detail below,the notification appliance 600 may be connected to a junction box viaone or more screws. In this regard, the screws may screw through holes603, 605 in the front housing 610, holes 607, 609 in the main PCB 614,and holes 621, 623 in back cover 616 to be received in screw sockets ofthe junction box (such as holes 1224, 1228, which serve as screwreceptacles, in junction box 1220). In order for the screws not to touchmain PCB 614 (and potentially short circuit main PCB 614), protrusions621, 623 on back cover 616 are used. Protrusions 621, 623 may becomposed on non-conducting material, such as rubber. When main PCB 614is attached to back cover 616, protrusions 621, 623 push through holes607, 609 so that the interior edge of holes 607, 609 are covered byprotrusions 621, 623. In this regard, protrusions 621, 623 serve as abuffer so that screws do not touch the interior edge of holes 607, 609.Further, an underside of front housing 610 may have one or more surfacesthat mate with protrusions 621, 623. For example, the area on anunderside of the front housing 610 around keyholes 1308, 1310 may matewith protrusions 621, 623. The area(s) 1360, 1362, highlighted by dashedcircles in FIG. 13F, may be flat surfaces. Thus, the screws insertedinto the junction box, which traverse through the front housing 610, themain PCB 614, and the back cover 616, may be isolated from interiorelectronics of the notification appliance.

When the screws are received in the screw sockets, the front housing 610is pushed into main PCB 614 and back cover 616, so that the fronthousing 610 creating a pressing force onto main PCB 614 and back cover616. With the additional manner in which front housing is connected tothe notification appliance 600, the notification appliance 600 may haveadditional structural integrity.

Main PCB 614 may include jumper 611. Jumper 611 may comprise a wire usedto configure Main PCB 614. Jumper 611 may be visible from the front ofnotification appliance (with the escutcheon removed), such asillustrated in FIG. 13A, discussed below. In this regard, the technicianmay readily see a configuration of Main PCB 614 by viewing front housing610 without the need to remove front housing 610.

Jumper may be input into different holes or points in main PCB 614 inorder to indicate to the main PCB 614 (such as firmware resident in themain PCB 614) of a particular desired configuration of the notificationappliance. Jumper 611 may likewise be selected for a particular color toindicate the particular configuration of the notification appliance. Ina more specific example, upon manufacture (or after manufacture), ajumper may be used to connect to a hole on main PCB 614 that indicatesto the firmware that the notification appliance is to be configured as amass notification appliance. As discussed in more detail below, thefirmware may modify the operation of the notification appliance inresponse to the configuration information indicated by the jumper. Inorder to visually provide this indication, a yellow jumper may be usedto indicate to an operator that the notification appliance is configuredas a mass notification appliance. Conversely, a jumper may be used toconnect to a hole on main PCB 614 that indicates to the firmware of thenotification appliance that the notification appliance is to beconfigured as a fire notification appliance, with the color of thejumper being white to indicate to the operator that the notificationappliance is configured as a fire notification appliance. In thisregard, jumper 611 may serve one or more purposes. In one purpose,jumper 611 provides a visual indication of the configuration of thenotification appliance. In another purpose, jumper 611 is used by mainPCB for the configuration.

As discussed above, jumper 611 provides configuration information to thefirmware. The firmware may modify the operation of the notificationappliance in response thereto. In the example of jumper 611 indicatingthat the notification appliance is configured for mass notification(which can result in the light output being yellow in color), thefirmware may drive the LED(s) 622 differently than if the firmwaredetermines that the mass notification appliance is configured for firenotification. More specifically, since the light output for massnotification is yellow in color (with the yellow light outputpotentially resulting from filtering, thereby reducing the spectrum oflight output as compared to light output for fire notification), thefirmware may drive the LED(s) 622 differently (e.g., at a greatercurrent and/or at a higher PWM rate) in a mass notificationconfiguration than for a fire notification appliance in order to meetthe desired candela setting. For example, for a setting of 30 candela,the firmware may drive a notification appliance in a fire notificationconfiguration at a lower drive current and/or at a lower PWM rate than a30 candela setting for a notification appliance configured for massnotification. As discussed below, the firmware may determine the drivecurrents and/or the PWM rates for the different configurations based ona lookup table, which may correlate an indication of the drive currentsand/or PWM rates at which to operate the one or more strobe LEDs withdifferent configurations.

As discussed above, the notification appliance may be configured for acandela output. In one embodiment, the notification appliance isconfigured for a discrete number of candela outputs. Typical candelaratings include, but are not limited to, 15, 30, 75, and 110 candela. Ina more specific embodiment, the configuration of the candela output forthe notification appliance is via input proximate to the notificationappliance (such as a manual setting of a switch, such as using cover 641to manually set the candela output or via a near-field communication tothe notification appliance). In another specific embodiment, theconfiguration of the candela output for the notification appliance isvia input remote to the notification appliance (such as by the firealarm control panel sending a command to configure the notificationappliance to the candela output).

Further, in one embodiment, all of the potential candela outputs may beavailable in each of the different configurations of the notificationappliance. For example, if the potential candela outputs are 15, 30, 75,and 110 candela, the notification appliance may output all of thepotential candela outputs in either a fire notification configuration orin a mass notification configuration.

In an alternative embodiment, the potential candela ratings may bedifferent depending on the configuration of the notification appliance.As discussed above, a fire notification appliance may use a clear lensand may emit a broad spectrum of light. Other types of notificationappliances, such as a mass notification appliance, may have a coloredlens and may emit a narrower spectrum of light. Because of the narrowerspectrum, the notification appliance in the mass notificationconfiguration may emit less light than the notification appliance in thefire notification configuration (with the drive current and PWM ratebeing equal). In certain configurations (such as in the massnotification configuration), the notification appliance may be unable togenerate sufficient light to meet the candela requirements, such as atthe highest candela setting (e.g., 110 candela). More specifically, thenotification appliance may be unable to generate the drive current for asufficient period of time to meet the candela setting at the narrowerspectrum of light. In these situations, the notification appliance mayhave different available candela settings for different configurations.In the example of available candela settings of 15, 30, 75, and 110candela, the notification appliance in the fire notificationconfiguration may be configured to any of the available candela settingsof 15, 30, 75, and 110 candela, whereas in the mass notificationconfiguration may be configured to any of the available candela settingsof 15, 30, and 75 (but not at the 110 candela setting). In this regard,the notification appliance in the mass notification configuration has anarrow set of available candela settings than in the fire notificationconfiguration.

Further, in one embodiment, a notification may be generated in the eventof an error in the candela setting. For example, in the event that thenotification appliance is set to an unavailable candela setting, thenotification appliance may generate an error signal. More specifically,in a notification appliance in which the 110 candela setting isunavailable in the mass notification configuration, and in the eventthat the notification appliance is in the mass notificationconfiguration and the desired candela setting is set to 110 candela(either via a switch on the notification appliance or via a command toconfigure the candela setting set by a fire alarm control panel), thenotification appliance may generate an error indication. The errorindication may be output locally (such as on a display resident on thenotification appliance) and/or may be output remotely (such as sending acommunication to the fire alarm control panel indicating the error).

In addition to (or instead of) notifying of an error in the candelasetting, the fire alarm control panel may notify of an error in theconfiguration of the notification appliance. As discussed above, thejumper, indicating the configuration of the notification appliance tothe main PCB 614, may be installed at manufacture. After which, thenotification appliance is installed at the site and the fire alarmcontrol panel is programmed. The fire alarm control panel may thereafterpoll one, some or all the notification appliances in the system for therespective configurations. For example, the fire alarm may send acommand to a particular notification appliance, and, responsive to thecommand, the particular notification appliance may poll the jumper 611to determine the configuration and send a response that includes anindication of the configuration, such as a mass notificationconfiguration or a fire notification configuration. The fire alarmcontrol panel may compare the configuration, as reported by thenotification appliance, with the configuration, as programmed at thefire alarm control panel. In the event of a discrepancy in thecomparison, the fire alarm control panel may indicate an error. Forexample, the fire alarm control panel may have programmed therein thatnotification appliance #20 is a fire notification appliance. In responseto the fire alarm control panel polling notification appliance #20, thenotification appliance may receive the configuration of notificationappliance #20. In the event that notification appliance #20 respondswith configuration information indicating a mass notification appliance,the fire alarm control panel may indicate an error. In this regard, thefire alarm control panel may perform testing to ensure that the properequipment is installed.

As discussed above, the firmware may access the drive settings and/orPWM rates for the LED(s) 622 depending on the configuration and thecandela setting of the notification appliance. In one example, a2-dimensional look-up table may be used in order for the firmware todetermine the correct drive currents and/or PWM rates. Morespecifically, inputs to the look-up table may include: (1) thenotification appliance configuration (e.g., fire or mass notificationconfiguration); and (2) the candela setting (e.g., 15, 30, 75 or 110).Responsive to the inputs, the look-up table may output an indication asto the drive current and/or PWM rate at which to operate the one or morestrobe LEDs. For example, the look-up table may output an indication ofa drive current, which may be used to drive the one or more strobe LEDsat the indicated drive current. In one embodiment, the look-up table maybe resident in the notification appliance upon manufacture. In analternate embodiment, the indication of the drive current and/or PWMrate may be received from a device external to the notificationappliance. For example, responsive to receiving the notificationappliance configuration and optionally the candela setting, the firealarm control panel may send the notification appliance the drivecurrent and/or PWM rate to produce the desired candela output for thenotification appliance configuration. More specifically, in the instancewhere the candela setting is input locally to the notificationappliance, the notification appliance may send both the notificationappliance configuration and the candela setting to the fire alarmcontrol panel. In response thereto, the fire alarm control panel maysend the drive current and/or the PWM rate. In the instance where thecandela setting is input via a command from the fire alarm control panelto the notification appliance, the notification appliance may send onlythe notification appliance configuration to the fire alarm controlpanel. In response thereto, the fire alarm control panel may send theindication of the drive current and/or the PWM rate.

FIG. 6B is a back view of LED notification device as assembled. FIG. 6Billustrates wire connecting mechanism 618, discussed below with respectto FIGS. 9B-D. FIG. 6B further illustrates inset 619. Inset 619comprises an indentation, cutout, or channel in the back of back cover616. Inset 619 may completely encircle a center portion of back cover.Adapter bracket 1200, discussed below with respect to FIGS. 12A-B, maymate with inset 619. In one embodiment, when adapter bracket 1200 ispressed against the back of back cover 616, adapter bracket sits flushwith the back of the back cover. For example, another portion of backcover 616, such as at 617, and the adapter bracket may be in the sameplane. In this regard, when adapter bracket 1200 connects betweennotification appliance and junction box, the notification appliance mayat least partly abut or touch junction box. In one embodiment, theadapter bracket 1200 mating with inset 619 at least partly seals orweatherproofs a backside of the notification appliance. In an alternateembodiment, the adapter bracket 1200 mating with inset 619 fully sealsor weatherproofs the backside of the notification appliance.

As discussed above, front housing 610 may be attached to back cover 616.Slot 643 illustrates one manner in which front housing 610 may beattached to back cover 616. Further, the escutcheon may be attached tofront housing 610, such as using tabs 645, 647, 649, 651 on fronthousing.

FIGS. 6C-E illustrate side views of a wall mounted notification device,with FIG. 6C illustrating the notification device without the opticattached and FIG. 6D illustrating the notification device with the opticattached. FIG. 6E illustrates an expanded view of FIG. 6D. FIG. 6Fillustrates a cross-section view of the optic as installed.

As discussed above, there may be requirements for a vertical dispersionof wall mounted strobes, such as illustrated in FIGS. 4C-D. In thisregard, one manner in which to achieve a desired vertical dispersion isby configuring the notification device such that one or more of the LEDstrobe elements in the notification device is offset. As illustrated inFIGS. 6C-E, the LED strobe element in the notification device is offsetat 25° below the vertical plane. Typically, the LED strobe element ispositioned such that its mounting is perpendicular to the wall (i.e., 0°from vertical). In one embodiment, the angle of mounting is greater than0°, such as equal to or greater than 5°, equal to or greater than 10°,equal to or greater than 15°, equal to or greater than 20°, equal to orgreater than 25°, equal to or greater than 30° or equal to or greaterthan 35°.

There are various ways in which to achieve the desired angle of mountingof the strobe element. One way, illustrated in FIG. 6D, is to mount theone or more LED(s) 622, being used as the strobe element,perpendicularly onto a printed circuit board (PCB), such as LED PCB 608illustrated in FIG. 6A. In this regard, the light emitted at companionangles across 180° (such as 45° and 135°) are the same. The LED PCB 608may then be mounted at the desired offset (such as at 25° discussedabove) so that the light emitted from the LED(s) (after the PCB ismounted) is at the desired offset angle. Another way is to mount the LEDPCB such that the LED PCB (when the notification device is mounted tothe wall) is parallel to the wall. The LEDs may be mounted to the LEDPCB at the desired offset (such as at 25°). Thus, when installed, theLED(s) are at the predetermined offset. Still another way is to offsetthe mounting of the PCB and the LED(s) related to the wall.

As discussed above, the optic may be used in the notification device.Examples of the optic are illustrated in FIGS. 6C-I, 7A-B, 8A-C, 13,17A-B, 19A-B and 21A. FIG. 6G illustrates a front view of the optic,FIG. 6H illustrates a bottom view of the optic, and FIG. 6I illustratesa front perspective view of the optic.

The optic 604 is configured to work in combination with one or more LEDsin order for the light to have a predetermined distribution. Morespecifically, the light, after emission through the optic installed at acertain angle below the vertical plane, such as 25° below the verticalplane (see FIGS. 6C-D), has a distribution at least as much as listed inFIGS. 4A and 4C. In this regard, the optic is shaped on the interiorportion (e.g., when installed the surface of the optic closer to theLEDs) and/or on the exterior portion to generate the desired lightdistribution.

The optic 604 further includes one or more structures in order toaccomplish one or both of the following objectives: correctly positionthe optic relative to the LED PCB 608; and correctly secure the LED PCB608 to the notification device (such as to front housing 610 illustratedin FIG. 6A). The optic 604 includes one or more holes 642 configured toreceive one or more screws, bolts or fasteners. The optic 604 may beplaced on top of housing 610 (illustrated in FIG. 6A) and screws may bescrewed through hole 642, and through hole 625 on front housing 610 toaffix optic 604 to front housing 610. In this regard, when optic 604 isaffixed to front housing 610, LED PCB 608 may be pressed against fronthousing 610 (shown in exploded view in FIG. 6A). Further, the optic 604includes one or more keys configured for proper orientation of the optic604. For example, FIGS. 6G and 6H illustrate posts 636 and 638. In oneembodiment, posts 636 and 638 are in line with holes 642, as illustratedby dotted line 644.

Posts 636, 638 may act as locating structure configured to properlyposition or locate optic 604 in notification appliance. As shown, post636 has a diamond shaped cross-section and post 638 has a circularshaped cross-section. In addition, LED PCB 608 includes slots oropenings (one opening with a diamond shape to receive post 636 and oneopening with a circular shape to receive post 638). In this regard,posts 636 and 638 ensure that the optic is in the proper orientation.More specifically, the optic 604 may be configured in a firstorientation and a second orientation 180° from the first orientation.The posts 636 and 638 may be used to ensure a proper orientation. Morespecifically, in the event an operator attempts to install the optic 604in an improper orientation (e.g., 180° out of alignment), the posts 636and 638 will not fit properly into LED PCB 608, thereby indicating thatthe selected orientation is not proper.

In addition, one or both of posts 636 and 638 may perform functionsother than proper orientation. In one embodiment, one or both of posts636 and 638 may be used as a light guide. In one more specificembodiment, one or both of posts 636 and 638 may be in lightcommunication with at least another part of the notification appliance.More specifically, one or both of posts 636 and 638 may guide lightgenerated from strobe LED(s) back to main PCB 614. As discussed in moredetail below, the light from the strobe LED(s) may be sensed by acircuit element on main PCB 614 in order to determine whether strobeLED(s) are operating correctly. In another more specific embodiment, oneor both of posts 636 and 638 may guide light generated from a lightsource (such as a communication LED) on main PCB 614 to the optic. Asdiscussed in more detail below, the optic may be used for multiplepurposes, such as for shaping the light generated by the strobe LED(s),and also for outputting light from a communication LED. Thecommunication LED may reside on main PCB 614, and transmit its light viaa light pipe and via the post so that the light from the communicationLED is visible by a technician viewing the optic. This is, for example,illustrated in FIG. 8C, in which posts 636 or 638 may guide lightgenerated from strobe LED to a light pipe 704 or 802, and may also guidelight generated by a communication LED to optic 700 or 800.

Optic 604 may further include gate 640. As discussed in more detailbelow, gate 640 may be used to locate optic with respect to LED PCB 608(see FIG. 6J). Similar to posts 636 or 638, gate 640 may guide light to(or may receive light from) main PCB 614. For example, gate 640 mayguide light generated from strobe LED(s) back to main PCB 614. Asanother example, gate 640 may receive light generated from a lightsource (such as a communication LED) on main PCB 614 to the optic.

As discussed above, the optic is configured to shape the light generatedfrom the LED array into a light output distribution with at least apredetermined pattern. In this regard, a first optic may be used toshape the light output from a first LED array and a second optic may beused to shape the light output from a second LED array. For example, a2×1 LED array may be mounted on the LED PCB (with 2 LEDs in a line). Asanother example, a 2×2 LED array may be mounted on the LED PCB (with 4LEDs arranged in a square shape).

In one embodiment, the general shape of the optic (e.g., the footprintof the optic) used in combination with a first LED array is the same asthe general shape of the optic used in combination with a second LEDarray. In the example given, the footprint of the optic for use with the2×1 LED array is generally the same as the footprint for the optic foruse with the 2×2 LED array. However, the optic used with the first LEDarray is different from the optic used with the second LED array in atleast one aspect, such as the interior surface or the exterior surface.In the example given, the optic for the first LED array may have adifferent racetrack 632 or flange 630. In one embodiment, for example,the racetrack 632 for the optic for use with the 2×1 LED array is widerthan the racetrack 632 for the optic for use with the 2×2 LED array.Similarly, the gate 640 for the optic for use with the 2×1 LED array islonger than the gate 640 for the optic for use with the 2×2 LED array.

Given that there are multiple optics with the same footprint, there is apossibility that the wrong optic may be installed. In the example given,an optic designed for installation with a 2×1 LED array may bemistakenly installed with a 2×2 LED array. To avoid a mistakeninstallation of the wrong optic, a key 634 may be used. The key 634 mayhave a companion opening with the LED PCB. For example, an opticdesigned for installation with a 2×1 LED array may have a key 634 at2:00 (as illustrated in FIG. 6G). The LED PCB (upon which the 2×1 LEDarray is installed) may likewise have an opening to receive the key 634on the optic. As another example, an optic designed for installationwith a 2×2 LED array may have a key at 10:00. The LED PCB (upon whichthe 2×2 LED array is installed) may likewise have an opening to receivethe key on the optic.

The optic thus may be used to seal one or more parts of the notificationappliance. In one way, the optic may be used to press LED PCB 608against front housing 610. In another way, the optic may be used to sealan opening on escutcheon. As discussed in more detail below, a part ofthe optic, such as racetrack 632, may be used to seal an underside ofescutcheon.

The optic includes a center portion, through which at least a part ofthe light generated from the mounted LED(s) is transmitted. Further,when mounted, the center portion of the optic is positioned proximate toand directly above the LED(s) 622 mounted to LED PCB 608. Further, asshown in FIGS. 6G-I, the optic includes a shaped surface on the interiorof the optic (i.e., when installed, the surface of the optic closer tothe mounted LED(s)) and a shaped surface on the exterior of the optic.At least one of the shaped surfaces, such as the shaped surface on theinterior of the optic, may comprise an asymmetrical shape. For example,the center portion of the optic is skewed such that a top portion shapeis different from a bottom portion shape. Optic 604 further includesflange 630, racetrack 632, and gate 640. Gate may be configured to abutor mate with a part of the LED PCB 608, such as illustrated in FIG. 6J.In this regard, gate 640 may be used as an alignment guide.Alternatively, or in addition, gate 640 may guide light generated fromstrobe LED(s) back to main PCB 614 and/or may guide light generated froma light source (such as a communication LED) on main PCB 614 to theoptic.

When the escutcheon is mounted to front face 610, flange 630 isconfigured to seal with an underside of the escutcheon. This isdiscussed in more detail with respect to FIGS. 10C-D. In addition, itmay be desirable that the optic 604 blends with the escutcheon. In thisregard, the racetrack 632 may be configured so that it sits flush withan outer side of the escutcheon. To accomplish this, the amount of rise648 between the flange 630 and the racetrack 632 may be selected suchthat the flange 630 seals the underside of the escutcheon and such thatthe racetrack 632 sits flush with the outer surface of the escutcheon.

Optic 604 may include flat surface 646. As discussed above, wall mountednotification appliances have a desired distribution, such as illustratedin FIG. 4D. In order to reduce the light traveling upward, flat surface646 is used. Flat surface is horizontal with respect to optic 604. Whenoptic is installed, such as illustrated in FIG. 6D, the flat surface is25° from vertical.

Optic 604 further includes bends 650, 652 which may comprise a curvedportion configured to conform to a curve in front housing 610.

As discussed above, the optic may be designed such that the optic's freeform surfaces, including the shaped surface on the interior of the opticand/or the shaped surface on the exterior of the optic, may work incombination with the LED axis directed at 25° below the vertical plane.The luminous intensity distribution dictated by the UL specification inthe vertical plane, shown in FIG. 4C, has a center weighting that isapproximately 20° below the vertical plane. In this regard, if the LEDaxis is tipped further up or down from the 25° as illustrated, it mayresult in performance deterioration and may result in the opticthickness becoming too large to be molded.

One or more LED(s) may be housed in the notification device. In oneembodiment, a single LED may be housed in the notification device. In analternate embodiment, multiple LEDs may be housed in the strobe device.The multiple LEDs may be arranged in an array, such as a 2×1 array, a2×2 array, etc. One example of an LED is Cree XM-L2 LED.

In the embodiment in which multiple LEDs are positioned proximate to oneanother, the extreme angle rays from either one of the LEDs are incidenton the adjacent LED lens dome. This modifies the overall directionaloutput characteristics.

FIG. 6J illustrates LEDs side by side (e.g., 2 LEDs side by side). Theside by side LED configuration may be effective because in thehorizontal plane where the effective source size is largest the rate ofchange of illumination is relatively small and in the vertical planewhere the rate of change of illumination is much larger the effectivesource size is relatively small. With regard to horizontal beamdistribution, the output of the strobe device that is configured forwall mounting is designed to meet or exceed the UL 1971 specificationrequirements as illustrated in FIG. 4A. To ensure that the output at 90°meets the required 25% of peak value (see FIG. 4A), some light isdirected at angles greater than 90°. This extra coverage is aconsequence of the emitting size of the LED. There is also a deliberateexcess of light above the requirement at 90° to allow for the effect ofpositional tolerances which have a greater effect at 90° than on theaxis.

Further, optic 604 may be designed to be attached to the strobe devicein fixed relation to the one or more LED strobes. Optic 604 has a shapedinner surface, a shaped outer surface, and a predetermined distancebetween the inner and outer surfaces in order to distribute the lightfrom the LEDs such that the output from the LEDs is at least (orexceeds) the UL 1971 specifications as detailed in FIGS. 4A-D (for wallmounted strobe devices) and in FIGS. 5A-B (for ceiling mounted strobedevices). At least a part of the optic, such as the flange 630 and/orthe racetrack 632, may further be configured to act as a seal around theLED(s). The optic may be composed of Polycarbonate or other materialwith a predetermined refractive index (e.g., a high refractive index)that improves the amount of light that can be gathered by the optic.

Optic 604 in the notification device may be used for a variety ofpurposes. One purpose may be to channel light from one, or multiple,light generating devices. FIG. 7A illustrates one example block diagramof an optic 700 and multiple light generating devices, such as strobeLED 702 and communications LED 706. Strobe LED 702 and communicationsLED 706 are different in at least one aspect. For example, strobe LED702 may be configured to generate a higher light output thancommunications LED 706 and/or may be configured to generate light in adifferent frequency spectrum than communications LED 706. Morespecifically, strobe LED 702 may be configured to generate light outputin order to comply with UL Specification 1971. In contrast,communications LED 706 may be used for display only, such as providing avisual indicator indicative of a status of the strobe device. Forexample, the notification device may be configured to test itself. Inresponse to a determination that a part of the notification device isfaulty, the notification device may activate the communications LED 706in order to provide a visual indication of the fault. As anotherexample, communications LED 706 may blink when the notification deviceis being polled. An operator visually inspecting various notificationdevices may readily notice the light generated by the communications LED706, and in turn recognize that the particular notification device isfaulty. In order to assist the operator in noticing the light, thefrequency spectrum of the communications LED 706 may be different fromthe strobe LED 702. For example, the communications LED 706 may outputlight in the red color frequency range.

Both strobe LED 702 and communications LED 706 may be positionedrelative to the optic 700 such that light output from either strobe LED702 or communications LED 706 may pass through the optic 700. In oneembodiment, the light output from strobe LED 702 may be directed at adifferent portion of the optic than light output from communications LED706. For example, the light output from strobe LED 702 may be directedto a center portion of the optic 700, and the light output fromcommunications LED 706 may be directed to an off-center portion of theoptic 700, such as the gate 640 of the optic.

FIG. 7B illustrates another example block diagram of optic 700, strobeLED 702 and communications LED 706, and light pipe 704. In this regard,FIG. 7B differs from FIG. 7A with the addition of light pipe 704. Lightgenerated by communications LED 706 may be channeled to optic 700 usinglight pipe 704.

Another purpose of the optic may be to channel light to one or moresensors resident in the notification device. Sensor(s) may be used inorder to determine various light levels, such as an indication of theamount of light emitted from the strobe LED and/or an indication of theamount of ambient light. In this regard, the optic may be used totransmit light generate by strobe LED and may also be used to channellight to the sensor. FIG. 8A illustrates one example block diagram of anoptic 800, strobe LED 702 and sensor 804. As shown, the light fromstrobe LED 702 may be transmitted to optic 800. Light transmitted fromstrobe LED 702 is transmitted to optic 800, part of which is reflectedback to sensor 804 and another part of which is transmitted through theoptic 800.

FIG. 8B illustrates another example block diagram of optic 800, strobeLED 702, sensor 804, and light pipe 802. In this regard, FIG. 8B differsfrom FIG. 8A with the addition of light pipe 804. Light reflected fromoptic 800 may be channeled to sensor 804 using light pipe 702.

FIG. 8C is a cross-sectional view illustrating the optic 700 or 800, thelight pipe 704 or 802, the communications LED 706 and sensor 804. In oneembodiment, the light pipe 704 or 802 may be used for a single purpose.For example, the light pipe 704 or 802 may be used to channel lightgenerated from the communications LED 706 to optic 700. As anotherexample, the light pipe 704 or 802 may be used to channel lightreflected from optic 800 to sensor 804. Alternatively, the light pipe704 or 802 may be used for multiple purposes. For example, the lightpipe 704 or 802 may be used for both channeling light generated from thecommunications LED 706 to optic 700 or 800 and for channeling lightreflected from optic 700 or 800 to sensor 804.

FIG. 9A illustrates an underside of the front housing 610 of thenotification device. As discussed above with regard to FIG. 6A, thenotification appliance may include front housing 610. The underside offront housing 610 may include a post 904. The post 904 may providestructural support for front housing 610. Post 904 is configured tocontact (or nearly contact) a part of main PCB 614. For example, post904 is configured to contact at point 613 on main PCB 614, therebytouching at least a part of main PCB 614. As another example, when fronthousing 610, main PCB 614, and back cover 616 are connected, post 904 isconfigured to be proximate to point 613. In this regard, if excessivepressure is applied to main PCB 614 (such as by excessive force appliedto wire connecting mechanism 618 opposite to point 613), post 904 mayprovide additional structural support to main PCB 614. Point 613 isinside four pins 615 on main PCB 614 (such as geometrically in thecenter of the four pins 615). Four pins 615 are used to connect wireconnecting mechanism 618 (e.g., the terminal block) to main PCB 614. Inuse, pressure will be applied to wire connecting mechanism 618. Thus,since post 904 abuts one side of main PCB 614, the opposite side ofwhich resides the wire connecting mechanism resides. In this regard,post 904 may provide additional structural support when pressure isapplied to main PCB 614. Likewise, post 904 may provide support frompressure applied via the front face of the notification appliance. Asdiscussed above, the front face of the notification appliance mayinclude one or more elements through which to input information. Forexample, the elements may comprise switches or the like, such asillustrated in FIG. 13A. In this regard, the operator may apply force tothe front face of the notification appliance when manually setting theswitches. The post 904 may provide the additional structural support towithstand the operator's pressure applied to the front face.

The underside of the front housing 610 may further include a slot 902which may receive a light pipe, such as light pipe 704, 802. Also, theunderside of the front housing 610 may further include slot 901 forlight pipe (FIG. 11B illustrates light pipe 1100 being inserted intoslot 901). Slot 902 comprises a screw receptacle in which a screw, suchas screw 602 in FIG. 6A, is inserted through hole 642 of optic and ismounted into slot 902.

FIG. 9A further illustrates holes 903, 905. When front housing isconnected to main PCB 914 and/or back cover 616, at least a part of theelectronics on main PCB 914 may be accessible via holes 903, 905. In oneembodiment, the electronics may comprise manually configurable inputdevices (such as switches or the like). FIG. 13A illustrates examples ofmanual configurable input devices 1302, 1304.

FIG. 9B illustrates a first view of wire connecting mechanism 618 on theback cover 616 of the notification device, illustrated in FIG. 6A. FIG.9C illustrates a second opposing view of wire connecting mechanism 618on the back cover 616 of the notification device. In one embodiment,wire connecting mechanism 618 may be part of main PCB 614. In thisregard, when main PCB 614 is connected to back cover 616, wireconnecting mechanism 618 is pushed through hole 654 of back cover 616.Main PCB 614 may include one or wire connecting mechanism 618 in whichwires may be connected. One example of wire connecting mechanismcomprises a terminal block. The wire may be held within the terminalblock by the tightening of a screw. The wire may be wrapped directlyunder the head of a screw or may be held by a metal plate forced againstthe wire by a screw.

FIGS. 9B-C illustrate wire connecting mechanism 618 in which twoseparate wires may be connection. Alternatively, wire connectingmechanism 618 may be configured with a single slot for insertion of onlya single wire, or may be configured with a plurality of slots forinsertion of multiple wires, such as 2 slots for insertion of two wires(see FIGS. 9B and 9C), 3 slots for insertion of three wires, etc. Wireconnecting mechanism 618 includes screws 906, 908, which may be turned(such as turned counter-clockwise) in order to enable the sliding of awire into hole (illustrated in FIG. 9D). Upon insertion of the wire intothe hole, the screw 906, 908 may be turned (such as turned clockwise) inorder to press the screw against the inserted wire. In this regard,electrical contact with the inserted wire may be made.

Insertion of wires into the hole(s) of wire connecting mechanism 618 maybe difficult. In one embodiment, back cover 616 may include a rampand/or a valley may be used in order to assist in the insertion of thewires into hole(s) of wire connecting mechanism 618. More specifically,FIGS. 9B-D illustrate a section of back cover 616 that includes ramps902, 904, valleys 912, 914, and wall 910. Ramps 902, 904 may provide agradual decline from an upper surface 916 to the valley 912, 914. Inorder to ease the insertion, ramps 902, 904 may be used. Further, wall910 may separate valleys 912, 914 in order to assist in the insertion ofa wire into the respective slot.

FIG. 9C illustrates screws 906, 908 unscrewed so that wire connectingmechanism 618 includes holes 922, 924 through which wires may beinserted. After insertion of the wires, screws 906, 908 may be screweddown in order to hold wires in place and maintain electrical contact. Asshown in FIG. 9C, bottom 926, 928 of terminal block is level withvalleys 912, 914. Thus, there is no bump or obstruction when insertingwires into wire connecting mechanism 618. Alternatively, bottom 926, 928may be lower than valleys 912, 914.

FIG. 10A illustrates a part of an underside of the escutcheon 1000,which is configured to connect with the front housing 610 illustrated inFIG. 6A. The underside of escutcheon 1000 includes a speaker grille 1002and a raised lip 1004. The speaker grille 1002 is configured to protectthe speaker, which is mounted on main PCB 614, from dust or dirt, andmay be in a variety of patterns. The raised lip 1004 may be around part,or all, of the perimeter of the speaker grille 1002. As shown in FIG.10A, the speaker grille 1002 is circular in shape. In this regard, theraised lip 1004 may likewise be circular in shape. Similarly, thespeaker grille 1002 may be rectangular in shape, with the raised lipfollowing the rectangular shape.

FIG. 10B illustrates a part of the main PCB 614 illustrated in FIG. 6A.As illustrated in FIG. 10B, the speaker 1010 is fitted with a gasket1012. Gasket 1012 may be composed of rubber or other flexible material.As shown, gasket 1012 covers an entire perimeter of the upper side ofspeaker 1010. Alternatively, gasket 1012 may cover less than all of theperimeter of the upper side of speaker 1010.

When the escutcheon 1000 attached to front housing 610, the raised lip1004 may contact the gasket 1012. In this regard, contact between theraised lip 1002 and the gasket 1012 may form a seal, thereby reducingthe likelihood of dirt or debris entering an interior of thenotification device.

FIG. 10C illustrates another view of an underside of the escutcheon 1020with gasket 1022. As discussed above, the escutcheon 1020 is configuredfor mounting to front housing 610. The underside of the escutcheon 1020includes gasket 1022. In this regard, the gasket 1022 may act as ashaped piece or ring sealing the junction between the escutcheon 1020and the optic 604. Gasket 1022 may be composed of rubberized or othertype of sealing material. FIG. 10E illustrates another view of anunderside of the escutcheon 1020 without gasket 1022. As illustrated inFIG. 10E, the underside of the escutcheon 1020 includes an inset 1050 orcutout in which the gasket 1022 may be seated. In one embodiment, whenthe gasket 1022 is seated in inset 1050, the gasket is flush with thesurrounding area on the underside of the escutcheon 1020. In analternate embodiment, when the gasket 1022 is seated in inset 1050, thegasket is not flush with the surrounding area on the underside of theescutcheon 1020.

As illustrated in FIGS. 10C and 10E, the inset 1050 includes one or morecorners (three of which are illustrated in FIG. 10C as 1032, 1034, and1036 and four of which are illustrated in FIG. 10E as 1032, 1034, 1036,1038). The corners may be formed such that a part on the optic otherthan flange 630 may engage the underside of the escutcheon 1020. Morespecifically, gasket 1022 may form a seal with flange 630. In addition,corners 1032, 1034, 1036, 1038 may engage with edges 1040, 1042, 1044 ofoptic 604. In this way, the optic 604 may be held more securely inposition by using two different points of contact to optic 604.

In one embodiment, gasket may have a width that matches the width offlange 630 of optic 604. Upon mounting, the gasket contacts a part ofthe optic 604, such as the flange 630 of optic 604. FIG. 10D illustratesthe contact of gasket 1022 with flange 630 of optic 604. The sealing maythus prevent water or the like from entering via the escutcheon opening.

FIG. 10C further illustrates the manner in which the escutcheon 1020 maybe attached to the front housing 610. Escutcheon 1020 includes one ormore ways in which to be attached to the front housing 610. For example,clasps 1024, 1030 may be used to snap into a part of front housing 610,such as into tabs 649, 651. Further, holes 1026, 1028 may likewise beslotted into or mate with protrusions on front housing 610, such as intotabs 645, 647, 1326. In this regard, the escutcheon 1020 may beconnected to the front housing 610 in one or multiple ways.

FIG. 11A illustrates a perspective view of the light pipe 1100. Lightpipe 1100 may be the light pipe 704 illustrated in FIG. 7B or may be thelight pipe 802 illustrated in FIG. 8B. As discussed above, the lightpipe may serve one function or multiple functions. For example, thelight pipe 1100 may be used to channel light generated from thecommunications LED to an optic and/or may be used to channel lightreflected from the optic to a sensor. The light pipe 1100 includes ashaft 1102 through which light is channeled. One end 1108 of the shaft1102 may angled. The angle of the one end 1108 may be similar, or matchthe angle of the LED PCB. For example, FIG. 8C illustrates the planeformed by end 1108 is perpendicular to the plane formed by LED PCB.

Further, the light pipe 1100 includes a collar 1104, which may bepositioned toward a top of the light pipe 1100. The collar 1104 may beshaped to mate with a part of the front housing 610 of the notificationdevice. For example, the collar 1104 may include one or more sides 1106,which may mate a hole 1110 on front housing 610. FIG. 11B illustrateslight pipe 1100 seated in hole 1110 of front housing 610 illustrated inFIG. 6A. As shown, hole 1110 includes a flat face 1112. Forinstallation, the light pipe 1100 may be rotated until the flat face1106 on collar of light pipe 1100 matches the flat face 1112 of hole1110. When slotted properly, the end 1108 is parallel to the LED PCB.The shape of the collar 1104 and of hole 1110 are merely forillustration purposes. Other shapes are contemplated such that lightpipe 1100 seats properly in hole 1110.

An electrical junction box is a container for electrical connections.The electrical junction box may be used to conceal the electricalconnections from sight and to deter tampering. The electrical junctionbox may be installed in walls or in ceilings, such that the electricaljunction box is recessed into the wall or the ceiling or flush with thewall or the ceiling. Electrical junction boxes may vary in sizedepending on the geographic location. For example, the size electricaljunction boxes in the United States may differ from the size ofelectrical junction boxes in Europe or the Middle East. An example of asingle gang electrical junction box for the United States is illustratedin FIGS. 13B-E, discussed below. As shown, the notification appliance isconnected at the top and the bottom of the junction box (i.e., at 12:00and 6:00). However, different types of junction boxes may be configureddifferently.

Instead of configuring different notification appliances to connect todifferent junction boxes, a notification appliance may be designed toconnect to a single type of junction box (such as the single gangelectrical junction box for the United States), and an adapter bracket1200 may be used so that the notification appliance may be connected toother types of junction boxes. In this regard, rather than connectingthe notification device directly to the junction box, an intermediatepiece, such as adapter bracket 1200, may be used to connect thenotification appliance to the junction box 1210.

Adapter bracket 1200 includes one or more holes that enable connectionof the adapter bracket 1200 to junction box 1220. FIGS. 12A-B illustrateone type of junction box 1220, which is rectangular in shape andincludes holes 1224, 1230. Other types of junction boxes may havedifferent shapes, such as circular, and may have different placement ofholes (such as at 2:00 and 8:00).

Adapter bracket 1200 may include one set of holes to mate with the holesin the junction box. Alternatively, adapter bracket 1200 may havemultiple sets of holes in which to mate with the holes in differenttypes of junction boxes. For example, as shown in FIGS. 12A-B, adapterbracket 1200 includes holes 1202, 1204, which match (or nearly match)the size of holes 1224, 1230 on the connection elements 1222, 1228.Holes 1202, 1204 may comprise keyholes for ease of installation. Whenthe adapter bracket 1200 abuts the junction box 1220, such asillustrated in FIG. 12B, screws may be screwed through holes 1202, 1204and 1222, 1228, respectively. Adapter bracket may further include holes1232, 1234, which may match (or nearly match) holes for a type ofjunction box not illustrated in FIGS. 12A-B (in which the holes in thejunction box are at 2:00 and 8:00). As shown in FIGS. 12A-B, holes 1232,1234 are not keyholes. In an alternative embodiment, holes 1232, 1234may be keyholes.

Adapter bracket 1200 may further include one or more sidebars 1236,1238. As shown in FIGS. 12A-B, two sidebars 1236, 1238 are shown, whichare proximate to holes 1202, 1204. In this regard, sidebars 1236, 1238may provide additional strength or rigidity to the portion of adapterbracket 1200 near or proximate to holes 1202, 1204. Alternatively, onlyone sidebar may be included. In still an alternate embodiment, sidebarsmay be included on each side of adapter bracket 1200.

Junction box 1220 includes an opening 1226. As shown in FIGS. 12A-B, theopening 1226 of the junction box 1220 is rectangular. Alternatively, theopening of the junction box may be square in shape. Likewise, theadapter bracket 1200 includes an opening 1208. As shown in FIGS. 12A-B,the opening 1208 of the adapter bracket 1200 is rectangular.Alternatively, the opening of the adapter bracket may be square inshape. The opening 1208 of the adapter bracket 1200 may be sizeddifferently than the opening 1226 of the junction box 1220. In oneembodiment, the opening 1208 of the adapter bracket 1200 has a dimensionthat is different from a dimension of the opening 1226 of the junctionbox 1220. In a more specific embodiment, at least one dimension of theopening 1208 of the adapter bracket 1200 is larger than the dimension ofthe opening 1226 of the junction box 1220. For example, the opening 1208may be larger in the x-direction, may be larger in the y-direction, ormay be larger in both the x-direction and the y-direction. Asillustrated in FIGS. 12A-B, the opening 1208 is larger in they-direction only. Further, a total area of the opening 1208 may belarger than a total area of the opening 1226. Alternatively, the opening1208 of the adapter bracket 1200 may be smaller than the opening 1226 ofthe junction box 1220. As discussed in more detail below, the differentdimensions of openings 1208, 1226 enables the adapter bracket 1200 toinstall notification appliances with different types of junction boxes.

In one embodiment, adapter bracket includes two different types ofconnection elements by which to connect the notification appliance tothe adapter bracket. For example, adapter bracket 1200 includes standoff1206, which may be a threaded standoff through which a screw may beinserted, and tab 1210, using which the notification appliance may behooked to the adapter bracket 1200. Standoff 1206 may be a through-holeor a raised screwhole. In one embodiment, standoff 1206 is mounted on asolid part of bracket. Alternatively, standoff 1206 is mounted on a holeso that a screw may be screwed through standoff 1206 and into junctionbox 1220.

With regard to standoff 1206, a part of the notification appliance, suchas back cover 616, may likewise include a hole. A screw may be insertedthrough the hole on the back cover 616, and through standoff 1206 inorder to attach the notification appliance to the adapter bracket 1200(and in turn to junction box 1220). Alternatively, instead of attachinga part of the notification appliance to standoff 1206 of adapter bracket1200, the hole (or holes) on the back cover 616 may be positioned suchthat the hole (or holes) line up with holes 1202, 1204 and 1222, 1228.In this regard, the screws may pass through each of the holes on theback cover 616, through holes 1202, 1204 on adapter bracket 1200, andthrough holes 1222, 1228 on junction box 1220.

Adapter bracket 1200 further includes tab 1210. Tab 1210 may have atleast one curved portion. As shown in FIGS. 12A-B, tab 1210 includes twocurved portions 1212, 1214. In this regard, the tab may engage a hole ona back part of the notification appliance, such as a hole (or otheropening) on the back cover 616 of the notification appliance. In aspecific embodiment, the hole on the back cover 616 of the notificationappliance may comprise a keyhole opening. When the tab, with its one ormore curved portions, is engaged in the hole of the notificationappliance, the tab acts to hook the hole, resulting in one or both ofthe following: the tab at least partly supports or holds up thenotification device; and the tab reduces the possibility that thenotification appliance can be pulled away from the wall or ceiling.

In practice, the notification appliance may be hooked to adapter bracket1200 using tab 1210. After which, one or more screws may be used toattach the notification appliance to the adapter bracket 1200 (such asinserting a screw through standoff 1206). In this regard, in oneembodiment, only a single screw is needed for attachment of thenotification appliance to adapter bracket 1200. Further, there may beinstances where it is inadvisable to have the screw, which engagingstandoff 1206 does not enter an interior of the junction box. In thisregard, the single screw, when engaged in standoff 1206, is not insertedinto an interior of the junction box since the screwhole is raised.Alternatively, in the event that a hole (instead of a standoff 1206 isused), when a screw is screwed through the hole, the screw is insertedinto an interior of the junction box. As discussed above, the junctionbox 1220 may be installed flush with the wall or ceiling. Thus, ininstances where the notification appliance is larger than the opening ofthe junction box, the adapter bracket enables the insertion of thesingle screw, which is in the interior of the junction box. Further, tab1210 does not require an additional screw, thereby avoiding inserting ascrew into the wall or ceiling outside of the junction box 1220.

The adapter bracket 1200 may sit flush between the junction box 1220 andthe backside of the notification appliance. In this regard, the adapterbracket may be inconspicuous when the notification appliance isinstalled. Further, a gasket may be used to seal the backside of thenotification appliance in order to weatherproof the notificationappliance.

As illustrated in FIGS. 12A-B, a single junction box is shown.Alternatively, there may be multiple junction boxes, such as twojunction boxes abutting one another, four junction boxes abutting oneanother in a square configuration, etc.

FIG. 13A illustrates the notification device 1300 without theescutcheon, which may include front housing 610, optic 604, LED PCB 608,input devices 1302, 1304, speaker 1306, and keyhole openings 1308, 1310.The input devices 1302, 1304 may be manually configurable. For example,the input devices 1302, 1304 may comprise manual switches (e.g., 2position switches) in order for a technician to configure thenotification device. As illustrated in FIG. 13A, the number of switchesfor input device 1302 is different than the number of switches for inputdevice 1304. Alternatively, the number of switches for input device 1302may be the same as the number of switches for input device 1304. In oneembodiment, input device 1302 may be for input of the address of thenotification device, and input device 1304 may be for input to configurethe audio output, in the event that the notification appliance includesan audio output, such as a horn. In this regard, the controller of thenotification device may poll both of input device 1302, 1304 in order todetermine the address and the audio configuration of the notificationdevice, respectively. Thereafter, the address and the audioconfiguration of the notification device may be stored in a memorywithin notification device and/or may be transmitted external to thenotification device (e.g., to a fire alarm control panel responsive to acommand from the fire alarm control panel querying the notificationdevice).

The speaker 1306 may be positioned in one of several places in thenotification device. As one example, the speaker 1306 may be positionedoff-center from the front housing. More specifically, the speaker 1306is shown in FIG. 13A as being off-center in the X-direction. As anotherexample, the speaker 1306 may be positioned out of alignment withrespect to the positioning of the LEDs 622 on LED PCB 608. Morespecifically, the LEDs 622 on LED PCB 608 are shown as being centered inthe X-direction, whereas the speaker 1306 is shown in FIG. 13A as beingoff-center in the X-direction.

Front housing 610 may further include holes, such as keyholes 1308,1310. In one embodiment, keyholes 1308, 1310 may be in differentorientations (such as keyhole 1308 being disposed horizontally andkeyhole 1310 being disposed vertically. In an alternate embodiment,keyholes 1308, 1310 may be a same orientation (such as keyholes 1308,1310 both being disposed horizontally or both being disposedvertically). Screws 1312, 1314 may thus be inserted through keyholes1308, 1310 to connect to the junction box. In this regard, in additionto connecting front housing 610 to back cover 616 (discussed above),front housing 610 may likewise be connected to junction box via screws1312, 1314. More specifically, front housing 610 may be squeezed orforced against junction box using screws 1312, 1314, which may providestructural support separate from attaching housing to back cover 616.More specifically, screws 1312, 1314 may press the front housing 610against one or both of main PCB 614 or back cover 616. Further, in oneembodiment, connection of main PCB 614 to back cover 616, such as via635, 637, 639, may be considered temporary or sufficient only untilinstallation of the notification appliance to the junction box viascrews 1312, 1314. Screws 1312, 1314, pressing the notificationappliance together (including pressing front housing 610 against mainPCB 614 onto back cover 616), may thus hold various parts within thenotification appliance (such as main PCB 614) more permanently.

As discussed above, escutcheon (such as escutcheon 1020) may beconnected to front housing 610 via one or more tabs, such as tab 1316shown in FIG. 13B.

FIGS. 13B-E illustrating the side view, the back view, the frontperspective view, and the back perspective view of FIG. 13A. Thenotification appliance 1300 is connected to junction box 1320. Junctionbox 1320 is a different type of junction box than junction box 1220illustrated in FIGS. 12A-B.

In practice, the keyholes 1308, 1310 enable the screws 1312, 1314 to beinserted or screwed at least partly into the screw receptacles ofjunction box 1320 prior to the notification appliance 1300 being affixedto the junction box 1320. More specifically, junction box 1320 mayinclude wires for connection to a part of the notification appliance1300, such as to the terminal block of the notification appliance. Afterthe wires from the junction box 1320 are connected to the notificationappliance 1300, the notification appliance 1300 is connected to thejunction box 1320. In one embodiment, the notification appliance 1300includes back cover 616, main PCB 614, front housing 610, LED PCB 608,and optic 604. In this regard, after inserting screws 1312, 1314 intothe junction box, the major portions of the notification appliance(including back cover 616, main PCB 614, front housing 610, LED PCB 608,and optic 604) may be threaded through screws 1312, 1314 via holes 1308,1310. In this instance, the mounting of the notification appliance maybe made easier since the screws are already at least partially installedinto the junction box before pressing the notification appliance ontothe junction box for mounting. Further, since the entire assembled unit(e.g., all of the parts of the notification appliance 1300 except forthe escutcheon) may be threaded through the already mounted screws 1312,1314, installation of the notification appliance is made easier. Morespecifically, because the screws 1312, 1314 are already partly screwedinto the screw receptacles of junction box 1320, the notificationappliance 1300 may be maneuvered using keyholes 1308, 1310 so that thenotification appliance 1300 is connected to the junction box 1320.Thereafter, the screws 1312, 1314 may be tightened so that notificationappliance 1300 is securely fastened to the junction box 1320. In oneembodiment, the screws 1312, 1314 are affixed only partly (and notwholly screwed into) receptacles of the junction box 1320 prior to thewires emanating from the junction box 1320 are attached to the terminalblock of the notification appliance 1300. In an alternate embodiment,the screws 1312, 1314 are affixed only partly (and not wholly screwedinto) receptacles of the junction box 1320 after the wires emanatingfrom the junction box 1320 are attached to the terminal block of thenotification appliance 1300.

This process of partly screwing the screws 1312, 1314 (and thenthreading the screws 1312, 1314 through holes 1308, 1310 of thenotification appliance) is in contrast to positioning the notificationappliance 1300 adjacent to the junction box 1320 (and lining holes 1308,1310 with screw receptacles of the junction box 1320, and insertingscrews 1312, 1314 through holes 1308, 1310 into the screw receptacles ofthe junction box 1320). In the latter case, it may be difficult to lineup holes 1308, 1310 with screw receptacles of the junction box 1320 andthread screws through the lined-up holes 1308, 1310 and screwreceptacles of the junction box 1320.

FIG. 13F illustrates the connection of the front housing 610 to the backcover 616. Front housing 610 includes two features 1350, 1352, such asprotrusions, and back cover 616 includes two recesses 1354, 1356. Inconnecting the front housing 610 to back cover 616, the two features1350, 1352 of front housing 610 are dropped down into recesses 1354,1356 of back cover 616 when the front housing 610 is at an angle to backcover 616. Then, front cover 610 is swung toward back cover 616 untilthe bottom latch 643 of front housing 610 engages the cutout 1358 inback cover 616.

FIG. 14A illustrates a side view of the LED PCB 608. FIG. 14Billustrates the notification device being connected to junction box 1320(either directly or using adapter bracket 1200). As discussed above, inone embodiment, multiple LEDs are used in the notification device (suchas 2 LEDs, 4 LEDs, etc.). In order to drive the multiple LEDs, an extraenergy storage device (such as an extra capacitor) may be used. Forexample, FIG. 14A shows LED PCB 608 including multiple energy storagedevices, illustrated as Capacitor #1 (Cap #1) and Capacitor #2 (Cap #2).

In one embodiment, Capacitor #1 and Capacitor #2 may have the samecapacitance and be in parallel, thereby doubling the capacitance.Alternatively, the capacitors may have different capacitance and/or maybe in a series configuration. In operation, the notification device willflash the LEDs for a predetermined period (such as 20 mSec) every 1second or every 2 seconds. The capacitors provide the current to theLEDs for the LEDs to produce the flash.

In order to stay in the same footprint, at least a part of theelectronics of the notification device, upon attachment to the junctionbox 1320, is within the junction box or resides in an interior of thejunction box 1320. For example, the additional capacitor may bepositioned on the LED PCB 608 such that upon installation of thenotification appliance, at least a part of the energy storage device iswithin the junction box 1320. In one embodiment, to stay in the samefootprint, Capacitor #1 is installed on one side of LED PCB 608 andCapacitor #2 is installed on an opposite side of LED PCB 608, such asillustrated in FIGS. 14A-B. In this regard, upon installation of thenotification device, at least a part of the electronics of thenotification device, such as the energy storage device, is at leastpartly within the junction box 1320. Alternatively, both capacitors maybe installed on an underside of the LED PCB 608 such that, uponinstallation of the notification appliance, both capacitors at leastpartly are within the junction box 1320. In still an alternativeembodiment, the capacitor may reside entirely within junction box 1320upon installation of the notification device.

There are instances where it is desirable to test the light output ofthe notification device. For example, certain standards, such as UL,dictate the light output at certain angles from the LED PCB, such as 0°.However, it may be difficult to determine where the certain angles are.In order to assist in the determination, an optical alignment tool 1500may be used. FIG. 15A illustrates a front perspective view of opticalalignment tool 1500. FIG. 15B illustrates a bottom perspective view ofoptical alignment tool 1500. FIG. 15C illustrates optical alignment tool1500 as installed in notification device 600.

Optical alignment tool 1500 includes one or more legs that areconfigured to connect or snap onto a part of notification device 600.FIG. 15B illustrates four legs 1502, 1504, 1506, 1508. Alternatively,fewer or greater number of legs may be used. As illustrated in FIG. 15B,optical alignment tool 1500 includes two pairs of opposing legs, with1502 and 1504 being curved, and with 1506 and 1508 being straight.

Front face of optical alignment tool 1500, illustrated in FIG. 15A,include one or more indicia to indicate different angles or pointsrespective to the LED(s) in notification device 600. For example, line“E” is indicative of the vertical centerline of the LED(s). Line “C” isindicative of the horizontal centerline of the LED(s). Line “D” isindicative of a line that is in the same horizontal plane as the LED(s)when installed at an angle. Point “A” is the intersection of line “D”and line “E”. Point “B” is the intersection of line “C” and line “E”.Thus, using the optic alignment tool 1500 enables easier determinationas to various points of potential measurement with respect to theLED(s). The various lines and points illustrated on front face ofoptical alignment tool are merely for illustration purposes only. Thespecific lines and points of interest depend on the LED(s) on the LEDPCB and also on the angle of installation of the LED PCB.

In one embodiment, it may be advantageous to change the color of thelight output from the notification device. For example, the color of thelight output may indicate different types of notification. Morespecifically, a white light output may indicate a fire emergency,whereas an amber light output may indicate an intruder on the premises(or a similar type of mass notification). Rather than have two separatenotification devices that output a predetermined and non-changeablefrequency range of light (e.g., a first notification device that outputswhite light and a second notification device that outputs amber light),the notification device may be configured to dynamically change thefrequency range of the light output.

The notification device may be configured to dynamically change thefrequency range of the light output in one of several ways. In oneembodiment, the change of frequency range may be achieved bymechanically changing optics (e.g., mechanically positioning an optic ofamber color on top of the LED(s)). In a second embodiment, the change ofthe frequency range may be achieved by electrically changing optics(e.g., changing the color of the optic by sending a current through theoptic).

FIG. 16A illustrates a block diagram configured to dynamically changethe frequency range of the light output by mechanically changing optics.Controller 1600 is configured to send a command to energy device 1606 inorder for energy device to power either actuator for optics 1602 and/orLED(s) 1604. FIG. 16B illustrates an expanded block diagram of actuatorfor optics 1602. Energy device 1606 may comprise capacitor(s), or thelike. As illustrated in FIG. 16A, energy device 1606 may power bothactuator for optics 1602 and LED(s).

The controller 1600 may receive a command, such as from a fire alarmcontrol panel, from a switch on the notification device, and/or from anoperator controlled wireless handheld proximate to the notificationdevice. The command may indicate a particular wavelength band. Inresponse to receiving the command, the controller may command theactuator 1602 to effect the command.

The notification device may include a plurality of optics, such as aclear optic, an amber optic, and a blue optic. The plurality of opticsmay be positioned on a movable wheel, whereby a selected optic may bepressed into contact with LED PCB 608. As illustrated, for example, inFIGS. 6E-F, the LEDs may be proximate to the optic. In this regard, whenmechanically moving the optic, one may first disengage the optic, suchas by moving the optic in a direction perpendicular to the plane formedby the LED PCB 608. In this regard, when it is desired for another opticto be pressed into contact with LED PCB 608, functionality fordisengaging the optic 1610 may be used to disengage the current opticfrom contact with LED PCB 608. Thereafter, functionality for moving newoptic into pace 1612, which may comprise a cam or a solenoid, may movethe movable wheel (either clockwise or counter-clockwise) until thedesired optic is positioned over LED PCB 608. Finally, functionality forengaging the new optic 1614 may then press the desired optic intocontact with LED PCB 608 to engage the desired optic with LED PCB 608.

As discussed above the notification device may include an escutcheon,which may sit on top of front housing 610, may likewise move. Thus, whenmoving the optic, at least a part of the escutcheon may move as well.For example, the escutcheon may include a flap, which may be movedupward (e.g., in the direction perpendicular to and away from the planeformed by the LED PCB 608). The new optic may be moved into position,and then engaged. Similar, upon engaging the new optic, the flap of theescutcheon may likewise move back into place (e.g., in the directionperpendicular to and toward the plane formed by the LED PCB 608).

As discussed above, another manner in which to change the color of thelight output is by modifying the color of the optic electrically. FIG.16C illustrates using an electrically alterable lens in order toconfigure the strobe to operate at one of the first wavelength band orthe second wavelength band. FIG. 16D illustrates the notification deviceusing the electrically alterable optic depicted in FIG. 16C in order toconfigure the notification device to operate at one of the firstwavelength band or the second wavelength band.

Optic 1650 may include an electrically alterable layer 1652. Forexample, the optic 1650 may comprise a liquid layer (such as 1652)sandwiched between two layers of glass or other suitable material.Alternatively, a film (instead of a liquid layer) may be used,comprising a treated material applied to the film or a chemical layerbetween two films. The color of the optic 1650 may be controlled via acontrol wire 1654 attached to the layer. For example, the electricallyalterable layer 1652 may be heated using control wire 1654, causing amolecular change in the liquid, and thereby allowing different lightwave lengths to pass and to be blocked. Alternatively the color of theoptic could be altered by a current flowing through the film layer viacontrol wire 1654, causing a molecular change in the film allowingdifferent light wavelengths to pass and to be blocked. Thus, the controlwire 1654 may cause tinting or shading of the optic 1650.

As discussed above, the command may indicate a particular wavelengthband. The controller 1660 may send a signal to an optic configurationcircuit 1666 indicating the wavelength band or color for the optic 1650.Based on the signal from the controller 1660, the optic configurationcircuit 1666 may generate a control signal and send it on the controlwire 1654. The control wire 1654 may then be used to change the color ofthe optic 1650 from clear to amber or amber to clear. Though amber andclear colors are described, other colors may be used as well. Further,as shown in FIG. 16D, the notification appliance may only consist of oneor multiple LEDs 1664 and a single LED drive circuit 1662 to drive theone or multiple LEDs 1664. Thus, the electronics necessary for thenotification device are less than a traditional strobe that requiresmultiple LEDs and multiple LED drive circuits to output light atdifferent wavelengths.

The command to configure the strobe lens may be received at thenotification device along with the command to activate the notificationdevice. In that instance, the controller 1660 may first configure theoptic 1650, and then immediately thereafter activate the notificationdevice (such as by sending a command to the LED drive circuit 1662,which in turn, activates the one or multiple LEDs. Or, the command toconfigure the optic may be received at the notification device beforethe command to activate the notification device. In that instance, thecommand to configure the optic 1650 may be implemented immediately uponreceipt at the notification device. Or, the command may be stored andimplemented thereafter (such as when a subsequent command to activatethe notification device is received). For example, a control signal maybe sent (such as in a broadcast to multiple notification devices thatare non-addressable) in which the control signal is a predeterminedpattern indicative of the wavelength band for output on the multiplenotification devices.

In notification device that are addressable, this process of changingthe color of the optic 1650 may be initiated via communications from thefire alarm control panel 14. In a non-addressable strobe device, thisprocess of changing the color of the optic 1650 may be initiated via anadditional wire from the control panel.

As discussed above, the notification device may be installed in avariety of environments and in a variety of ways. For example, thenotification device may be installed on a wall, such as illustrated inFIG. 14B. As another example, the notification device may be installedon a ceiling. FIG. 17A illustrates an exploded view of one example of anotification device 1700 configured for ceiling mount. The notificationdevice 1700 includes a cover 1702, optic 1704, LED PCB 1706, housing1708, speaker 1710, driver board 1712, insulator 1718, and transformerboard 1722. Cover 1702 may be attached to the notification appliance viaconnection with housing 1708. For example, housing 1708 may includeprotrusion(s) 1724 that mate with an underside of cover 1702. In oneembodiment, there are a plurality of protrusions 1724, such as at 12:00,3:00, 6:00 and 9:00. One type of mating comprises a snap-fit, wherebyprotrusion(s) comprise a small lip for hole(s) in cover 1702 to engage.Using a snap-fit allows for attachment without the use of screws, makingattachment easier (no tools are required) and less obtrusive.

FIG. 17A illustrates that the substrate 1714 of the driver board 1712 iscrescent moon shaped. In this regard, the driver board 1712 isconfigured such that, when the speaker 1710 and driver board 1712 areinstalled in the notification device 1700 (illustrated in FIG. 17B), thespeaker 1710 breaks the plane defined by the substrate 1714 of thedriver board 1712. Further, because the speaker 1710 is installedoff-center from the housing (see FIG. 18A), the driver board 1712 may beinstalled. In one embodiment, the speaker 1710 is installed to one sideof the housing, and the driver board 1712 may be installed to anotherside of the housing (e.g., the center of the speaker 1710 may beoff-center of the housing on one side and the center of the driver boardmay be off-center on an opposite side). In an alternate embodiment, thespeaker 1710 is installed to one side of the housing, and the driverboard 1712 may be installed such that the driver board 1712 is centeredin the housing. Thus, at least a part of the driver board 1712 is aroundat least a part of the speaker (e.g., the substrate 1714 at least partlyencircles a part of the speaker). This allows for a more compactassembly of the notification device 1700, and thereby a smaller depthnotification device. Further, the speaker 1710 may be offset (such asdiscussed below with respect to FIGS. 21A-B), thereby allowing thedriver board to be positioned in a larger area around the speaker 1710.

The electronics may be arranged on the substrate 1714 of the driverboard 1712 such that the speaker 1710 can break the plane defined by thedriver board 1712. For example, capacitor(s) 1716 may be arranged on anunderside (relative to the speaker 1710) of the substrate 1714. Wheninstalled, parts of the driver board 1712 (such as the capacitor(s)1716) and at least a part of the speaker 1710 may sit within a cavity1720 of insulator 1718. Insulator 1718 may be configured to insulatevarious parts of the notification device, such as the capacitor(s) 1716and the magnet within speaker 1710 from the electrical junction box. Forexample, FIG. 17A shows capacitor(s) 1716 are stood up on the undersideof the substrate 1714. The insulator 1718 may be molded such that thecapacitors may sit within insulator 1718. In this regard, the insulatorcreates an electrical barrier between electrical components installed onthe driver board 1712 from wiring in the junction box. Morespecifically, insulator 1718 may keep transformer board 1722 and part orall of driver board 1712 (such as capacitors 1716) conductivelyseparate. In one embodiment, when installed within the electricaljunction box, at least a part of the capacitor(s) 1716 may be containedwithin the electrical junction box, such as illustrated in FIG. 14B.

FIG. 17C illustrates an exploded view of another example of anotification device 1750 configured for ceiling mount. The notificationdevice 1750 includes a cover 1752, optic 1754, LED PCB 1756, housing1758, speaker 1760, driver board 1762, insulator 1768, transformer board1772, and junction box 1774.

The substrate 1764 of the driver board 1762 is rectangular shaped with asmall cutout. In this regard, the driver board 1762 is configured suchthat, when the speaker 1760 and driver board 1762 are installed in thenotification device 1750, the speaker 1760 breaks the plane defined bythe substrate 1764 of the driver board 1762.

FIG. 17C illustrates an arrangement of the electronics on the substrate1764 of the driver board 1762 slightly different from the arrangementillustrated in FIG. 17A. The capacitor(s) 1766 may be arranged on atopside (relative to the speaker 1760) of the substrate 1764. Wheninstalled, a part of the speaker 1710 (but not a part of the driverboard 1762) may sit within a cavity 1770 of insulator 1768.

Transformer board 1772 may include on a backside (the side that facesthe junction box) one or more switches to configure the notificationappliance. The switches may be used to configure part or all of thenotification appliance. For example, in a notification appliance thatincludes a speaker, such as illustrated in FIG. 17C, the speakersettings may be programmed using the switch(es) on the backside oftransformer board 1772.

FIG. 18A illustrates a front view of the notification device with thecover 1702 removed. As discussed above, the notification device mayinclude one or more input devices. FIG. 18A illustrates multiple inputdevices 1802 (dip switch input configured to set an address), 1804(candela switch configured to input the candela setting). The housingdevice of the notification device allows for easy access to the variousinput devices 1802, 1804. FIG. 18B illustrates a part of thenotification device with the front cover 1702. A hole in the front cover1702, 1752 enables viewing of the candela setting on input device 1804.

The housing 1708 may be modeled such that a part of the housing includesone or more light pipes. FIG. 19A illustrates front view of the housing1708 of the notification device 1700. FIG. 19B illustrates an expandedview of a portion of FIG. 19A, including light pipe 1904, which may be apart of the housing. In one embodiment, the housing 1708 may be a singlemolded piece that include the light pipe 1904. For example, the housing1708 may be partly or completely composed of clear plastic to act as alight pipe 1904 in designated areas. In this regard, the light pipe 1904may provide at least some structural support to the housing 1708. Thelight pipe 1904 may be configured to transmit light from LED PCB 1706and optic 1704 to a light sensor (not shown) on the driver board 1712.

FIG. 20A illustrates a back view of the housing 1708 of the notificationdevice 1700. FIG. 20B illustrates an expanded view of a portion of FIG.20A, including light pipe 2002, which, similar to light pipe 1904, maybe a part of the housing. The light pipe 2002 may transmit light from acommunications LED (e.g., an LED indicator) on the driver board 1712,through the cover 1702, to a person inspecting the notification device1700.

FIG. 21A illustrates a front view of the housing 1708 and the speaker1710 of the notification device 1700. The housing may include one ormore support elements. FIGS. 20B and 21A illustrate a plurality ofsupport elements, such as 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012. The speaker 1710is mounted behind the housing 1708. In this regard, the output from thespeaker 1710 is at least partly blocked by the various parts within thenotification device 1700, such as parts of the housing (e.g., 2004,2006, 2008, 2010, 2012), the optic 1704, and the LED PCB 1706. In orderto reduce blocking the output from the speaker 1710, the speaker 1710 ispositioned within the notification device 1700 to be off-center. Asshown in FIG. 21A, speaker 1710 includes a center portion 2102. Thecenter portion 2102 typically is the position where the voice coil ofthe speaker resides. In this regard, the center portion 2102 istypically the part that generates the most audio output. Offsetting thepositioning of the speaker 1710 reduces blockage of the center portion2102 from different parts of the notification device 1700, therebyincreasing the effective output of the speaker 1710.

FIG. 21B illustrates a back view of the electrical junction box 2104 andthe notification appliance 1700, including the housing 1708 and thespeaker 1710 of the notification device 1700. The positioning of thespeaker 1710 within the notification appliance enables improvement ofuse of the interior space within the electrical junction box 2104. Asdiscussed above, various parts of the notification appliance 1700 may becontained within the electrical junction box 2104, such as part of thedriver board 1712 (e.g., at least a part of capacitor(s) 1716) and/or atleast a part of speaker 1710 (e.g., the back part of the speaker 1710that includes the magnet). Using the configuration as illustrated inFIGS. 17A-B and 21A-B enables a more efficient placement of differentparts of the notification device into the volume within the electricaljunction box 2104.

FIG. 22 illustrates the notification device 1700 with the cover 1702attached and installed within the electrical junction box 2104. Thecover 1702 includes holes 2202 which may be dispersed symmetricallyaround the cover 2104. As shown, the speaker 1710 is positioned offcenter. In this regard, the position of the speaker 1710 is asymmetricalwith respect to the cover 2104 and with respect to the holes 2202 in thecover 2104.

The ceiling mounted notification appliance may likewise beweatherproofed in one of several ways. In one way, the optic Similar tothe wall-mounted notification appliance (See FIGS. 10C-D), the ceilingmounted notification appliance may include a seal (such as gasket 1022)between the optic and the escutcheon.

While the invention has been described with reference to variousembodiments, it should be understood that many changes and modificationscan be made without departing from the scope of the invention. It istherefore intended that the foregoing detailed description be regardedas illustrative rather than limiting, and that it be understood that itis the following claims, including all equivalents, that are intended todefine the spirit and scope of this invention.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A notification appliance comprising: a backplate configured to abut a junction box, the back plate including a backplate first hole and a back plate second hole; a driver board connectedto the back plate, the driver board including a driver board first holeand a driver board second hole; a front housing connected to the backplate, the front housing including a front housing first hole configuredto receive a first screw and a front housing second hole configured toreceive a second screw; a first non-conducting protrusion; a secondnon-conducting protrusion; one or more strobe elements electricallyconnected to the driver board; and an optic configured to shape lightgenerated by the one or more strobe elements, the optic in apredetermined configuration with respect to the one or more strobeelements, wherein the driver board is configured to drive the one ormore strobe elements, wherein the driver board is mounted between theback plate and the front housing resulting in: (1) a first screw passagethrough the front housing first hole, the driver board first hole andthe back plate first hole; and (2) a second screw passage through thefront housing second hole, the driver board second hole and the backplate second hole, wherein the first non-conducting protrusion covers aninterior edge of the driver board first hole such that the driver boardis electrically shielded from contact by the first screw passing throughthe first screw passage, and wherein the second non-conductingprotrusion covers an interior edge of the driver board second hole suchthat the driver board is electrically shielded from contact by thesecond screw passing through the second screw passage.
 2. Thenotification appliance of claim 1, further comprising an escutcheon, theescutcheon connected to the front housing via a snap fit.
 3. Thenotification appliance of claim 1, wherein the front housing isconfigured to apply pressure to a portion of the driver board.
 4. Thenotification appliance of claim 1, wherein the front housing includes asecond hole; and wherein, when the front housing and the driver boardare connected to the back plate, the second hole is proximate to atleast a part of the driver board such that the at least a part of thedriver board, indicative of a configuration of the driver board, isvisible through the second hole.
 5. The notification appliance of claim1, wherein the at least a part of the driver board comprises a jumperindicative of a fire notification configuration or a mass notificationconfiguration.
 6. The notification appliance of claim 1, furthercomprising an LED board and at least one screw; wherein the fronthousing includes a screw receptacle; wherein the optic includes a hole;and wherein the at least one screw traverses the hole of the optic andengages the screw receptacle in order for the optic to press the LEDboard into the front housing.
 7. The notification appliance of claim 1,wherein the driver board includes a terminal block having one or moreopenings configured to receive a plurality of wires via the junctionbox; and wherein the notification appliance comprises a ramp adjacent tothe one or more openings, the ramp configured to guide the wires to theone or more openings in the terminal block.
 8. The notificationappliance of claim 7, wherein the terminal block includes a firstopening configured to receive a first wire for electrical connection tothe driver board and a second opening configured to receive a secondwire for electrical connection to the driver board; wherein a first rampis adjacent the first opening; wherein a second ramp is adjacent thesecond opening; and further comprising a wall separating the first rampand the second ramp.
 9. The notification appliance of claim 1, whereinthe driver board includes a first side and a second side; wherein thedriver board includes a terminal block connected to a part of the firstside, the terminal block having a first opening configured to receive afirst wire via the junction box and a second opening configured toreceive a second wire via the junction box; wherein the terminal blockincludes a first screw configured to press the first wire intoelectrical contact with the driver board and a second screw configuredto press the second wire into electrical contact with the driver board;wherein the front housing includes a post; and wherein, when the fronthousing and the driver board are connected to the back plate, the postis proximate to or touching a part of the second side of the driverboard that is opposite to the part of the first side to which theterminal block is connected.
 10. A notification appliance comprising: aback plate configured to abut a junction box; a driver board connectedto the back plate; a front housing connected to the back plate; one ormore LED strobe elements electrically connected to the driver board; andan optic configured to shape light generated by the one or more LEDstrobe elements, the optic in a predetermined configuration with respectto the one or more LED strobe elements, wherein the driver board isconfigured to drive the one or more LED strobe elements; wherein thedriver board is mounted between the back plate and the front housing;wherein the driver board includes a first side and a second side;wherein the driver board includes a terminal block connected to a partof the first side, the terminal block having a first opening configuredto receive a first wire via the junction box and a second openingconfigured to receive a second wire via the junction box; wherein theterminal block includes a first screw configured to press the first wireinto electrical contact with the driver board and a second screwconfigured to press the second wire into electrical contact with thedriver board; wherein the front housing includes a post; wherein, whenthe front housing and the driver board are connected to the back plate,the post is proximate to or touching a part of the second side of thedriver board that is opposite to the part of the first side to which theterminal block is connected; and wherein the post of the front housingtouches a center of the part of the second side of the driver board thatis opposite to the part of the first side to which the terminal block isconnected.
 11. The notification appliance of claim 1, wherein the driverboard includes a plurality of input devices for a user to manuallyconfigure the notification appliance; wherein the front housing includesone or more holes on a front or a side face of the front housing; andwherein the plurality of input devices are accessible via the holes inthe front housing.
 12. The notification appliance of claim 11, whereinthe front housing includes one or more holes on a front of the fronthousing; and wherein the user manually configures the plurality of inputdevices via the one or more holes on the front of the front housing. 13.The notification appliance of claim 11, wherein the front housingincludes one or more holes on a side of the front housing; and whereinthe user manually configures the plurality of input devices via the oneor more holes on the side of the front housing.
 14. The notificationappliance of claim 11, further comprising an escutcheon configured toattach to the front housing; and wherein the escutcheon covers the oneor more holes on the front or the side face of the front housing whenattached to the front housing.
 15. The notification appliance of claim1, wherein the front housing is further connected to the driver board.16. The notification appliance of claim 1, wherein the driver board isconnected to the back plate via a snap fit; and wherein the fronthousing is connected to the back plate via one or more screws.
 17. Thenotification appliance of claim 1, wherein the first non-conductingprotrusion is on the back plate; and wherein the second non-conductingprotrusion is on the back plate.
 18. The notification appliance of claim17, wherein the first non-conducting protrusion on the back plate pushesthrough the driver board first hole; and wherein the secondnon-conducting protrusion on the back plate pushes through the driverboard second hole.
 19. The notification appliance of claim 18, whereinthe first non-conducting protrusion mates with a first area on anunderside of the front housing around a first keyhole of the fronthousing; and wherein the second non-conducting protrusion mates with asecond area on an underside of the front housing around a second keyholeof the front housing.
 20. The notification appliance of claim 17,wherein the first non-conducting protrusion and the secondnon-conducting protrusion are composed of rubber.
 21. The notificationappliance of claim 1, wherein the back plate includes an exterior edgewith a first connector and a second connector; wherein the driver boardconnects to the back plate via the first connector; and wherein thefront housing connects to the back plate via the second connector. 22.The notification appliance of claim 21, wherein the back plate comprisesan inset surrounded by the exterior edge; and wherein the driver boardis positioned in the inset and abuts at least two sides of the exterioredge.
 23. The notification appliance of claim 22, wherein the driverboard abuts at least four sides of the exterior edge of the back plate.